IPU urged the governments to end hostilities in Africa and Yemen

Inter-Parliamentary Union today urged the governments to end hostilities and take every step to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to save millions from famine and drought in Africa and Yemen.

The global parliamentary community adopted the emergency agenda this morning at the 136th Assembly of IPU being held in Dhaka since Saturday, says an IPU release.

The parliamentary moot pressed on their governments to fund humanitarian relief operations to avert the crisis.

People are facing the third consecutive year of drought in Yemen and many of the African countries.

The impact is devastating, causing thirst and hunger, decimating livestock, destroying livelihoods, spreading diseases and triggering large-scale population movements.

Ethiopia and Kenya are among the world’s top 10 refugee host countries. These refugees are especially vulnerable in the current crisis.

IPU members called upon the international community to take immediate action to prevent this potentially unprecedented famine and looming humanitarian catastrophe.

The IPU resolution declared that the United Nations should commit the resources necessary to provide humanitarian support and nutritional relief. It stressed that particular attention needs to be focused on the most vulnerable groups, especially women, children and the aged.

IPU members also want to prevent the tragedy from ever happening again. They urged governments to assist the affected countries in developing drought resilience mechanisms, including by eliminating the root causes of famine and drought. Parliamentarians also called for more investment in mitigation activities that support vulnerable countries in adapting to climate change.

Bangladesh Parliament is hosting the five-day IPU assembly at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, which will conclude on Wednesday.